Trail Name: McIntyre Bluff
Distance: 10km
Time: 3-4hrs
Difficulty: Medium
Trail Conditions: Single track well marked trail through the desert.
Highlight: Absolutely fantastic views of the Okanagan Valley with a winery waiting for you at the end of the hike.
To get there: This hike is a little ways out of Kamloops, but is well worth the drive! The trailhead is located just outside of Oliver, BC. Check google maps and take whichever route you’d like, each route is roughly 3hrs from Kamloops. Parking for this trail is located at Covert Farms Estate Winery. North of Oliver, turn onto Secrest Hill Rd. Follow this road for about 1.3km and then turn right onto Covert Pl. Follow the road through the vineyards and park in the designated parking area. Or get directions from Google here.
As you head towards the Covert Farms tasting room, you will see signs for the Bluff Trail. Be sure to stop and sign the logbook outside the tasting room and grab a map before heading out on your hike. Follow the trail up the garden steps and through the vineyards. Once you reach the end of the vineyard, head through the gate and follow along the fence line for about 0.5km. From here the trail is very straight forward and easy to follow. You’re halfway to the top when you reach Rattlesnake Lake; continue another 2.5kms to the top!
This is an absolutely fantastic hike! It’s definitely one of the longer ones, but the trail itself is not too difficult. The trail is suitable for almost anyone with a moderate fitness level. Although not too difficult or challenging, this trail is quite long. We recommend starting this hike sometime between 8-9am, as it can get very hot in the South Okanagan by mid day. Be sure to wear sunscreen and reapply (as we learned the hard way!) and bring your camera for some of the best views in the Okanagan! After this long, hot hike, be sure to stop in at the Covert Farms tasting room to sample some of their superb wines or enjoy a glass on their quaint patio.
